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2 PORTLAND OBSERVER Wednesday February 18 2015 Community appeal after fatal crash BEN FRASER POLICE are appealing for witnesses from the community after a devastating crash claimed the lives of three family members near Lake Mundi, 32km from Casterton on Sunday morning. The crash claimed the lives of the male driver, his wife and a new born baby, orphaning two young children. The nine-year-old boy was critically injured from the accident and is in a serious but stable condition at the Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital. His three-yearold sister had minor injuries. The four-wheel drive was travelling along CastertonPenola Road en route to Mount Gambier and was discovered by a bread delivery van at 7.10am. It is believed that the family was travelling from the Tullamarine Airport to Mount Gambier throughout the night, and the grey Kia Sorrento was seen travelling through Hamilton between 1am and 3am. Police are appealing for witnesses to help them track the movements of the car, to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au. MODERATOR Hugo Armstrong briefs a crowd numbering about 170 at Monday’s meeting which outlined acoustician Steven Cooper’s study into the Cape Bridgewater wind farm. Picture: ELLY HATELEY 150216eh09 PORTLAND OCEAN STEEL CHANDLERY Taylor Marine & Supplies  Wet Weather Clothing  Safety Gear  Ropes, Knives & Fenders  Paints, Anodes & Antifoul  Nautical Books, DVDs & Charts  Boat & Trailer Repairs Stockists of HOURS: Mon - Fri 8.45am - 4.30pm or open by appointment 0418 103 259 Trawler Wharf, Portland Phone 5523 4858 admin@oceansteel.com.au Meeting told Pacific Hydro will not fund further studies From PAGE 1 “My physical reaction to living here includes headaches and atrocious sleep quality intensifying practically every aspect of each 24-hour cycle,” Ms Trist said. Another resident said the meeting was very good until the manager’s final statement, which he saw as “confrontational”. Others at the meeting included wind turbine opponents who had travelled to Portland from as far away as New South Wales and South Australia. Local organiser for the Australian Wind Alliance Angela McFeeters said what made people anxious was people and organisations telling them that they would get sick if there was a wind farm in their area, or one set to be built. “I am sorry that these six people feel ill, but this study does not prove that it is the wind farm causing these issues. There are many thousands of people all around the world that live and Paamper amper Yrmpereamper Yourself & Look Y Shop 18 Pioneer Plaza Phone 5523 5486 urself & Look Y ng rself & Look Younger rself & Look Yoounge work near wind farms with no complaint,” she said. “It’s important to remember that wind energy is a key part of a current and future energy mix that has little impact on the environment and can help prevent further climate change.” The meeting, which went for 2½ hours, began with a point-by-point analysis of the lengthy and highly detailed acoustic report presented by the man who had written it, Steven Cooper of The Acoustic Group. Before the meeting, Mr Cooper and Pacific Hydro issued a joint statement in which they cited a number of topics on which they agreed: • The Acoustic Group and Pacific Hydro agree this was not a health study and did not seek or request any particulars as to health impacts. Therefore, we cannot enter into a debate about health issues or health impacts. • We note that a recent NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council) statement indicates that they will be conducting further work in this area which may be an appropriate place for rigorous health research to take place. • The study had a limited budget and timeframe (which was exceeded). A lot more work than originally envisaged was required to satisfy the brief. • Both Pacific Hydro and Mr Cooper agree that the study is a new approach to assessing the acoustic environment as it relates to wind turbines, involves a number of hypotheses that are yet to be fully tested and contains information that may prove useful as a basis for further study. 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Delivery To South West Victoria Every Week withstand scientific scrutiny and that would go well beyond the scope of work”. “Both Pacific Hydro and Mr Cooper agree that the outcome of the study can lead to further discussion amongst the community, regulatory authorities, planning authorities, other researchers and the wind industry,” the statement said. In an answer to a question from the resident in House 87, one of the homes included in his research, Mr Cooper acknowledged his study was limited and did not have scientific rigour. “I am not qualified to talk about health matters,” he said, “but if you are asking me would I live there, the answer is no. And if you read these (residents’) diaries you’d have to be moved.” He said his research establishing the concept of sensation to describe what some residents had noted was a world first, and a standardisation of testing equipment was needed. “Sensation is a new area of enquiry – there is already a great deal of interest in the Cape Bridgewater and Waterloo (South Australia) results in the USA,” he said. “Who is responsible? I don’t know – I’m just the noise guy.” He said others should take up where his survey left off. “It involves everyone associated with the issue,” he said. “Now we have the starting point. It’s now for others to build the better mousetrap. It is not Pacific Hydro’s responsibility, nor should they pay for further studies. “I’m not anti-wind farm. You can create lots of them if they don’t cause problems in the community. If lots of people complain, there must be something there.” Mr Crockett thanked Mr Cooper for his exhaustive efforts, noting that the new report might be an input into the National Health and Medical Research Council’s proposed further studies. There was loud and sustained applause from the audience after Mr Cooper concluded his analysis and his answers to questions from the floor. www.spec.com.au OCF0248616 OCC19259223 OCE09276123 CDB0419416 u Agent for n i B o c i a t t a N g a l